USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Green Card Applicants Effective January 22, 2025

NEW! Effective January 22, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has waived the requirement for adjustment of status applicants to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. 

USCIS will no longer issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) related to COVID-19 vaccination proof, nor will it deny any adjustment of status application based on the absence of such documentation.

USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Green Card Applicants Effective January 22, 2025

This policy change signifies that applicants seeking to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident are no longer mandated to present evidence of COVID-19 vaccination during the medical examination process. However, it's important to note that other vaccination requirements remain in effect. Applicants must still comply with all other vaccination protocols as outlined by USCIS.

Important Update: New Requirement for Form I-693 Submission with Form I-485

Important Update: New Requirement for Form I-693 Submission with Form I-485

Starting December 2, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement a new rule that changes how Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) is submitted with Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

If you are required to submit Form I-693, or a partial Form I-693, such as the Vaccination Record, you must now submit it at the same time as your Form I-485. This new requirement means that failure to include your completed I-693 form or any required vaccination records along with your I-485 application will result in your Form I-485 being rejected by USCIS.

This change is being implemented to streamline the process and ensure a more efficient review of immigration applications. To avoid delays or the rejection of your application, make sure to gather all required medical and vaccination documents well in advance before submitting your Form I-485.

Remember, the deadline for compliance is December 2, 2024, so take action now to ensure your immigration paperwork is complete. 

Stay informed and make sure your application is in order to prevent unnecessary complications in your path to U.S. permanent residency!

New USCIS Policy: Form I-693 Medical Exam Report Now Valid Indefinitely!

11/1/2023 Update:　USCIS Limits Validity of Form I-693 to Pending Green Card Applications

Great news for immigrants to the U.S.! 🇺🇸 The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services just announced that starting Nov. 1, 2023, any Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon remains valid indefinitely! 

Form I-693 Now Valid Indefinitely

This means that if you've had your medical exam completed and signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023, you won't need to worry about expiration dates anymore. Your Form I-693 can now be used as evidence to show your eligibility without time constraints. This change provides more flexibility and peace of mind for applicants regarding health-related grounds for inadmissibility. For more details, check out the official announcement: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-announces-new-guidance-on-form-i-693-validity-period

USCIS Removed 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693!

USCIS Removed 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693!

USCIS had issued a temporary waiver a while ago to pause the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant applies for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 

Now this temporary waiver has become a permanent policy! 

How will this affect previously submitted cases?

For those whose Green Card applications have been considered invalid solely due to the expired I-693 signature before, you will no longer receive Request for Evidence (RFEs). USCIS will accept these Forms I-693 for adjudicative purposes for up to 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form.

For new applicants, Civil surgeons no longer have to sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before the Green Card (I-485) application is filed. 

What's the best practice?

Submit your Form I-693 with your Form I-485 together! USCIS will consider a completed Form I-693 to remain valid for 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the medical record form. 

**New Update: Any Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that was properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after Nov. 1, 2023, does not expire and can be used indefinitely. Learn more here>>

You may be interested in these posts:

• DIY How I Applied for My I-485 Green Card with No RFE! (Updated Feb 2023)

• How Long Does It Take to Receive My I-693 Report?

• What Vaccines Are Required for the I-485 Green Card Application?

How to Reinstate your Green Card After Staying Aboard for a Long Period

Have you been out of the US for over 1 year? Many of us may be subject to green card abandonment without even knowing it! 

During the pandemic, many green card holders had no choice but to stay out of the US for an extended period. In this case, you may be facing a difficult decision - whether to abandon your green card or not. 

What are the key consequences of green card abandonment?

Other than losing your permanent residency and being required to restart the green card application all over again, here are a couple of other consequences:

• Watch out for "Exit tax"! - IRS may treat your assets as sold for market value on the day you lose your status. While you are still the owner of the assets, you may be subject to some additional taxes.
• You will not be able to sponsor any family members to visit the US and any sponsored applications for your family may be suspended or cancelled. 

How to avoid Green Card abandonment

Luckily, you may apply for Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status, aka a re-entry permit! 

A re-entry permit allows permanent US residents to travel outside the country for more than 12 months without losing their permanent residency status. This permit is usually valid for 2 years and can be applied for as many times as possible.

Why do you need this re-entry permit? This permit is to show USCIS that you still have a very strong intention to come back to the US and maintain your permanent residency status.

If you are out of the country for a long time period (over 12 months), you may be given a warning by a Custom and Border Protection (CBP) when you try to re-enter the US with your current unexpired green card. So it's suggested to apply for Form I-407 before you leave the US when you know that you would be outside of the US for more than 1 year. 

What if I am already out of the US for over 1 year and didn't apply for Form I-407?

How to reinstate your Green Card after abandonment

You can reinstate your green card at the US Embassy or Consulate near your current location abroad. An interview will be required. You will need to submit documents to prove that:

• When you departed the US, you had a valid green card. You will need to present your valid permanent resident card and other supporting documents
• Your overstaying outside the country is due to circumstances beyond your control. For example, medical reasons or employment, or even other family affair. 
• You left the US with an intention to come back - meaning you didn't mean to abandon your status. You may be required to submit your US income tax return records. 
• You may also show that you have properties, investments and/or other close relatives int he US. Bank accounts and other assets may also support your true intentions. 

Check with your US embassy or consulate at your current country when you apply for the reinstatement. Every case can be different but here are a few key documents for the green card reinstatement application:

• DS-117, Application to Determine Returning Resident Status 
• Your existing I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Re-entry permit if applicable 
• Documents to prove the date you traveled outside the US, such as your flight tickets or passport stamps
• Your recent US tax returns
• Other supporting documents such as evidence of family and social ties to the US

I hope this article helps! Come back to learn more about immigration applications.